Local Employers Reaping Benefits of Business Improvement Projects by SERC’s Entry to Management Graduates

SERC celebrated the success of participants who have completed the College’s Entry to Management Graduate Development Programme bringing a total of 120 young graduates through the programme since it commenced in 2016.

Claire Hatton, Training & Innovation Consultant at SERC said, “We are delighted with the success of this cohort of young leaders who have been working with top employers throughout Northern Ireland over the past year including FinTru, Devenish, Henderson Foodservice and Tricord Smart Fulfilment.

“The success of the programme boils down to the fact that it supports both employers and graduates who come from a diverse range of disciplines.   It is designed to develop the graduates professional and employability skills and we spend time matching the right graduate with the right employer to ensure success.   This is evident in the fact that 97% of participants gain full-time permanent employment following the programme.

She added, “Graduates complete the programme gaining real life graduate-level work experience, undertake business improvement projects and add a professional Chartered Management qualification to their CV all in 26 weeks.

“SERC work in partnership with 52 local employers and the Entry to Management programme has generated almost £2m in salaries for the NI economy.  In addition, business improvement projects undertaken by the graduates have amassed savings of £1.5m for local businesses.”

Speaking at the presentation for the latest cohort of graduates, John Rodgers, Director of Tricord, Lisburn based personalised mailing and fulfilment company said, “We have been very impressed with the brief for candidates coming through to us on the Entry to Management programme and the level of the business improvement projects they have undertaken at Tricord which has helped us develop new markets.  

In addressing the graduates, he added, “Northern Ireland is a very small place and it important for candidates to remember there is always a second meeting so stay in touch with each other. I congratulate you all and encourage you to live well and work hard to fulfil your leadership roles.”

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Applications are now open for the 2019 intake on the Entry to Management Graduate Development Programme at SERC.  Click here for more details

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